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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Bounced by Hurricanes in Overtime

December 28, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB - The first game back after the Holiday break is always a tough one as the Christmas turkey still rumbles in the bellies of the players and coaches alike. The game's after the break also feature some heated rivalries which included Sunday night's tilt between Lethbridge and the Tigers.

The opening frame started quite even as these two teams hadn't met since October 9th in Lethbridge when the Tigers stumbled 7-0. The visitors got themselves on the board first scoring on the game's first power play opportunity. Giorgio Estephan scored his 15th of the season on a quick wrister top shelf on Tigers netminder Nick Schneider. Before the period ended the Hurricanes took a 2-0 lead after a turnover in the Tigers led to Ryley Lindgren being setup by Carter Folk. Medicine Hat would register 7 shots in the goalless frame.

In the middle frame Medicine Hat's power play took advantage of their chances as the 20 goal club found another member in Max Gerlach, who was "Johnny on the spot" in front of the net to bury it and cut into the lead. The Hurricanes, who lead the Eastern Conference heading into the night, answered right back when Justin Gutierrez found the back of the net, increasing the lead to 3-1. Cole Sanford answered on the power play again as the Tigers went 2/2 in their first chances with the extra skater. Sanford was in on the play again as he stole the puck from a Hurricanes defender and fed a driving Mark Rassell to tie the game at 3's. Before the period ended however, Estephan would knock in his 2nd of the game when the Tigers turned the puck over to rookie Jordy Bellerive. Heading into the break, the visitors had the slight edge with a 4-3 lead.

The final frame had the 5032 fans at the Canalta Centre buzzing as the Tigers would come close to tying the game on several occassions. Medicine Hat wouldn't be able to find the back of the net until Matt Bradley blocked a shot in the defensive zone, broke down the wing and fired a puck on net which snuck past Sittler and behind him to tie the game at 4's. The play of the game went to Nick Schneider who robbed the 'Canes on a shorthanded 2 on 0 coming across to grab the puck with his glove. The stop definately kept the game tied and the crowd into a frenzy. At the buzzer, we headed to some extra hockey....

The overtime was stolen by both goaltenders but especially 'Canes goalie Jayden Sittler. The netminder would rob Gerlach, Forrest and Sanford on chances that would have ended the game for the orange and black. Sittler's saves gave the visitors some momentum and Ryley Lindgren was benefactor as he found a loose puck on a tired Tigers trio and roofed one to end it, 5-4.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. GIORGIO ESTEPHAN - LETH - (2G)

2. COLE SANFORD - MH - (1G, 2A)

3. BRAYDEN BURKE - LETH - (2A)

Medicine Hat is back in action Tuesday night when they travel down Highway 3 for a rematch with the 'Canes.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2015


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